The Crimson Heirlooms

by Hunter Dennis

  Jake got to work. He brought out the Ostervald Bible that The Society had given him. He wrote a guide that he would burn later.

  The first word of every sentence always referenced the book. W equaled 4, H was 8, and Y had the value of two. Together they added up to 14. Jake, for the first sentence, was referencing the Second Book of Chronicles, the fourteenth book of the Ostervald. There was an apostrophe, which meant the code sentence only referenced one missive word. Haven’t did not count for anything, except the apostrophe – all apostrophe words were void otherwise. Jake then went to the word YOU, which added up to 20 – and referenced the page of the book. He carefully counted twenty pages into Second Chronicles. Next was WRITTEN, which added up to 53. The fifty-third word on the page was “when.” Nothing else in the first sentence then counted, and Jake moved on to the second.

  Jake pressed on, carefully working out his code. Occasionally, the letter would have a sentence with a dash, indicating that Jake was referencing first letters of indicated words and not the words themselves. Slowly but surely, a message took form:

  WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN H-A-I-T-I YOU WILL F-A-K-E YOUR OWN DEATH AND MEET US IN P-U-N-T-A-D-E-M-A-I-S-I-C-U-B-A GO TO V-I-L-L-A-D-E-B-U-E-N-O-S-S-U-E-N-O-S

  Jake pulled open the lantern on the table to expose the flame. He lit the message, the letter and the guide on fire, placing all on a brass plate to burn.

  Then he sat back in his chair.

  Interesting.

  The Society wanted him to separate from Tyran. That meant, after the mysterious Grand Masters had put their heads together, they believed Jake had taken all he needed from Tyran, and was now ready to continue the quest alone. Who was Jake to gainsay them? They must have given this a great deal of thought.

  So had Jake. And if Jake no longer needed Monsieur Tyran, he certainly did not need The Society. In fact, if both parties thought him dead, there would be no reason for him to continue the quest at all. If he did continue, it would also be up to Jake’s family - if they decided to finance the venture, and had the funds to do so.

  The Cross was most certainly in France. Jake had the paperwork to travel nearly anywhere. It was not illegal for Jake to return to France after his probable future jaunt to Haïti. If Tyran found him after he played dead, then Tyran was simply mistaken as to his circumstance, for Jake was alive and on the quest. If The Society found him, he would simply say Tyran had forced him to the action of subterfuge. One could be pitted against the other.

  After all of the second-guessing and mostly clueless postulating, Jake did not know whether he wished to continue the quest. He did know, however, that he was faking his death in Haïti – to fool both parties. Running the risk of making powerful enemies, he was eluding them both, and returning home.

  For now, his return was to Nantes, in order to receive his next orders from Monsieur Tyran. He would be shocked if his next destination wasn’t Haïti. Once there he would elude both his pursuers with a good plan, hopefully inspiration would come later.

  Then he was Boston bound – a place he never thought he would ever see again.

  To Be Continued

  Appendix: Pronunciation and Definition Guide

  Only for the sake of easing the process of alphabetical search, ce, le, la, d’ and de will be ignored, except for quoted passages. All words are French unless otherwise noted.

  French “zh” is meant to be the “z” sound in “azure,” but is actually even more pronounced and exotic. “R” is a mild trill, akin to Spanish but to a politer degree.

  There are three very distinct Irish dialects. With apologies to the south, all Irish herein is in the Ulster dialect for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, Irish spelling does a drunk bee twirl through the ages, and not all words are in Modern Gaeilge.

  “Historical Figure” denotes a character in the book who actually lived. This does not include historical figures only mentioned in passing.

  ***

  “Bon sang ne saurait mentir” – (bohn sohn na-SUR-ray MON-tier) “Good blood cannot lie.”

  “Ego sum umbra, olim magnus. Lignum in umbra mortis - nisi illud occidit scutum lux” – (EH-go some OOHM-bra, OH-lim MAN-yus. LEEN-yum in UM-bra MOR-tis. NEESY ill-ood OCH-chid-it SCOOT-em LUKES-ah) Poor Latin.

  “Être foutu tout les messieurs!” – (ET-tra FOO-two TWO lay MAZE-uhr) “F--k all gentlemen!”

  “Guillaume Tell” – (GIE-yome Tehl) “William Tell.”

  “Le Menu du Duc Mort” – (LUH MEN-oo doo DOOK MORE) “The Menu of the Dead Duke.”

  “Le professeur a réussi au moment où son élève devient original” – “The teacher has succeeded the moment his pupil becomes original.” This is a Lane Cooper quote. He was an American, a polyglot, a Cornell professor, and known around the world – far more than his own nation, being neither Kardashian nor Marvel.

  “pour encourager les autres” – (POOR AHN-coor-ah-zher lesoht) “to encourage others,” a quote from Voltaire.

  “Pour les droits de l’homme, mon ami”- (POOR lay DWAH de-LOME, MOHN AH-mee)

  “Robert le Diable” – (ROH-behr lay DIA-bleh) “Robert the Devil.”

  “Vive la France” – (VEEV leh FROHNZ) “Long live France.”

  “Vive le Roi” – (VEEV leh RWAH) “Long live the King!”

  A Coruña – (ah CORE-OON-ya) Spanish.

  abbé – (ah-BEY) “abbot,” the second lowest rank of priest in France.

  Abruti – (AH-broo-tee) “fool.”

  absagen – (AHB-sahgen) German, “cancel.”

  actions au porteur – (AK-zion OH POR-tair) Royal France was behind on the paper money train. Actions au porteur was as close as it came. They were more like bearer bonds or travelers’ checks.

  Adela – (AH-del-lah)

  Adèle – (AH-del)

  Adelgunde – (AH-DEL-gun-DEH) German, fantastical.

  adieu – (AHD-dyu) “goodbye,” literally “with God.”

  Agesilaus c. 444 – c. 360 BC (ah-JESSE-lay-os) Greek. He was a great king of Sparta, some would say the ideal king, and a brave and competent warrior. Ironically, he was lame from birth, and the Spartans were deeply prejudiced against the handicapped - even after his reign.

  Agwé – (ahg-WAY)

  aides – (AY-duh) “succor,” “assistance,” “help.”

  Albanach – (ah-la-bah-nah) Irish, “Scottish.”

  Allou, Gilles – (AHL-loo, Zheel)

  Almo – (AHL-MO)

  Angers – (OHN-zher)

  Anjou – (OHN-zhoo)

  ansagen – (on-ZAW-gen) German, “declare.”

  Aquinas, Thomas – (ah-KWAI-nas or ah-KEY-nahs) but he was actually Tommaso d'Aquino (toh-MAH-so dah-KEY-no), 1225 – 1274, an Italian Dominican friar, priest, and juror. He was an immensely influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism. His impact, in the Catholic church at least, is still omnipresent. If one wished to pursue a moral path in any pursuit, Aquinas codified a route. It is odd to think modern man is philosophically primitive compared to man in 1274, but, I assure you, this is indeed the case. Our downward slide started in the Renaissance. Modern man is intellectually savage and primitive in many key respects - albeit relaxed, entertained and well-fed.

  arachide – (ARA-sheed) “peanuts.”

  Aristobelus – (AH-ris-to-BEL-us) German, fantastical.

  Aristobolus – (AH-ris-to-BOH -lus) German, fantastical.

  Arouet, Daumard and François-Marie (AH-rooay, DOO-mar, fran-swah mah-ree) François-Marie Arouet was Voltaire’s real name. Daumard was the maiden name of Voltaire’s mother. These are very Republican aliases.

  Arquebus – we say AR-kwib-is, most Europeans say AR-kay-boos. This is a catch-all term for a heavy, one-man firearm mounted on a forked stick, utilizing some kind of pre-flintlock firing mechanism. They were not regular in parts or caliber, and were created by a variety of craftsmen - or sometimes even the shooters themselves.

  Arthaud, Éric – (AHR-too, AIR-eek)

  Artus, Charles-
Melchior, Marquis de Bonchamps – please see “Bonchamps.”

  aspirans – (as-PEE-ran) “midshipmen”

  d’Aubeterre – (DOOB-tear)

  d’Auray, Marquis – (MAR-key DOO-ray)

  Aurélien – (AH-rel-yah)

  Austerlitz – (OUSE-ter-litz) German, a small town currently in the Czech Republic, and site of one of the greatest battles of all time – Napoleon’s crushing, brilliant victory over the Austrians, assorted Germans and Russians at the battle of the same name in 1805.

  Autolycus- (AU-TUL-ih-cus) Greek. In Greek mythology, the son of Hermes and the grandfather of Odysseus.

  Avenir, Marc Marie-Florent – (AF-neer, MAH-rkh MAH-ree FLU-rahw)

  avocat – (AV-oh-cah) “lawyer.”

  baise la taxe – (BEES la tax) “F—k the tax.”

  Barnave, Antoine – (BAR-nev, ON-twon) Historical figure.

  Barrière d'Enfer – (bah-REE-air DON-fair) “Hellsgate.”

  bâtard, ce – (SOO bah-tar) “this bastard.”

  Béarla – (BYUR-lah) Irish, “English.”

  Beau Brave – (BOO brahv) “Beautiful Brave One.”

  Beccaria – (BEY-cah-REE-ah) Italian.

  Bedos, Thierry Alain – (BED-ohs, cherry AL-ahn)

  Benyovszky, Comte de – (BEN-yov-skee, COMPT duh)

  Bergères – (BEAR-zhair) – An enclosed, completely upholstered French armchair.

  Berlière, Jacques – (BEAR-lee-air, ZHACK)

  Bernier – (BEAR-nee-ay)

  Bhiorog Ó Baoighill – (BEA-wok OH-BOY-ill) Irish.

  Blin, Francois-Pierre – (BLAH, FRAN-swa PEE-air) Historical figure.

  Bò – (BOH)

  Boissière-sur-Èvre – (BWA-sair-sur-EHV)

  bon soir – (bohn-swah) “good evening.”

  Bonchamps, Charles-Melchior Artus, Marquis de – (BOHN-shamp, SHARL-MEL-key-or AHR-tus, MAR-key duh) Historical figure. One of the greatest unsung heroes of France. George Washington meets Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was truly a model for the ages, in every way.

  bonjour – (BON-zhoor) “good day.”

  Bordeaux – (BOAR-doo)

  bordel – (BOAR-del) “whorehouse.”

  Borgia – (BOAR-hee-ah) Spanish.

  Botz-en-Mauges – (BOOTS-uhn-moozh)

  bouche – (BOOSH) “mouth.”

  Bouchon – (BOO-shawn)

  Boufflers, Stanislas de – (BOO-flay, STAN-is-slaws dey) Historical figure.

  bougre – (BOOG-r) “buggerer.”

  bougre de vérolée – (BOO-grah duh VEY-roh-LAY) “sodomizer of the syphilitic.”

  Boulevard du Crime – (BULL-vard du CREAM) “Boulevard of Crime,” actually Boulevard du Temple, but called such because of all the theaters on the street and their salacious dramas.

  Bourbon-Penthièvre, Louise Marie Adélaïde de – (BUHR-bon-PAR-tiev, LOO-ease-MARIA-de-laid-doo)

  Bourdaloue – (BUHR-dah-loo) a woman’s chamber pot.

  bourgeois – (BOOR-zhwa)

  Bouteiller, Guillaume – (BOO-tay-yay, GHEE-yohm)

  Bouvillon – (BOO-vee-yohn) Jérémie D’Uts (ZHER-eh-mee DOOT), Sitis (SIT-tees), Jemima (ZHEM-mima), Ketsia (KET-zia) and Kéren (CAIR-ren)

  Boyve, Abraham – (BOY-vee, AY-bra-HAM) Europeanized Hebrew

  Brevet – (BREV-ae)

  Brienne, Cardinal Étienne Charles de Loménie de – (BREE-en, CAR-dee-nahl ET-tee-en SHARL duh LOH-men-ee duh)

  brocóg – (BRAH-COG) Irish, “smudgy-faced girl.”

  Bue-Bue – (BOO-BOO)

  ça ira – (SAY-rah) “it’ll be fine.”

  café – (KAHF-fay) “coffee.”

  Caïn le Laboureur – (KAH-ahn le LAH-boo-rare) Cain the Farmer, from the Bible. He didn’t have much luck with his offerings either.

  Caisteal Dhuni – (CAIS-til DOO-nie) Scottish, “Castle Dhuni”, the battle cry of the Frasier clan.

  Calais – (KEL-lay)

  Cale, Jacques Bonhomme – (CAL, ZHACK BON-uhm)

  Calonne – (CAL-uhn)

  Camembert – (CAH-mohm-BARE) A cheese from Normandy.

  Candes – (COND)

  Cap Français – (CAP FRON-say)

  Cap-Haïtien – (CAP HEY-ee-si-ohn)

  Capitaine – (CAP-ee-tan)

  Carême, Marie-Antoine – (CAH-rem, MAH-ree-ON-twon)

  Carrara – (CAH-rar-RAH) Italian.

  Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul – (CAT-eh-drahl SAN-PEE-aire-ee-SAN-pohl)

  Cavalla – (CA-vuh-lah) Portuguese. A river that meanders through Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia. Also called the Youbou and the Diougou.

  céalmhaine – (KAYL-woon) Irish, a classification of “oracle” “augury,” or “omen.” There are not enough words regarding magic and the supernatural in English to properly translate this. It is an omen, but one that does not deal with death or battle.

  Centre-Ville – (SON-tra-VEEL) “downtown.”

  Chambarde, Pierre de la Ville de – (SHAM-bard, PEE-air-duh-leh-veel-duh) Historical figure.

  Champ-Élevé (SHAWM-EL-vey) “High Fields.”

  Chapelle-Saint-Florent - (SHAW-pell-SAN-FLOR-on)

  Charentais – (SHAW-ron-TAY)

  Charlemagne – (SHARL-lo-MAN-yeh) The greatest king of all time, ever. The model for King Arthur.

  Charles – (SHAR-leh)

  Charleville - (SHAR-le-veel) A town with an important armory for the manufacture of muskets which were called by the same name. There was a bewildering variety of Charleville models and upgrades. The Charleville was the official arm of the French infantry from 1717 to 1840.

  Chartres – (SHART)

  Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue – (SHASH-air-VO-LOON-taire duh SAN-DOM-ang) “Volunteer Light Infantry.” This unit existed historically and performed well.

  Château de la Baronnière – (SHA-toh duh la BAR-roh-NEY-air) Historical place.

  Château des Ducs de Bretagne – (SHA-toh de DOO du BRE-tain) “Castle of the Dukes of Brittany”

  Château Meilleur – (SHA-toh ME-yair) “Best Manor”

  châteaux – (SHA-toh) “castles” “manors”

  chatte – (SHAT) “twat.”

  De Chauvirey, Maurice Roland – (doo SHOW-ver-eh, MOH-reese ROH-lon)

  Chef de Bataillon – (CHEF duh BA-tai-yon) “Battalion Leader”

  chefs de cuisine – (CHEF duh COO-zine) “cooking chiefs,” “cooking heads.”

  chèvre – (CHEV) “goat”

  chinoiserie – (SHIN-wahz-ree)

  Chouette – (SCHWET)

  Ciarraighe – (KIA-ray-HE) Irish, an ancient tribe who gave their name to County Kerry.

  Cicero – (KEY-KAY-roh) Latin.

  cinniúint – (KEN-you-went) Irish, “fate,” “destiny,” “chance.” Another word with no true English equivalent, English being a language of muggles.

  Cloître Saint-Merri – (CLOY-ahtr SAN-MARE-ree) If you have been to the obnoxious Centre Pompidou and its grounds, most likely you have walked on the footsteps of rebels and troops from 1832.

  Code Noir – (KOOD NWAH) “Black Code.” Kicked the Jews out of the colonies for fear of Dutch influence, made the Catholic conversion of slaves nearly mandatory, gave some rudimentary laws for the treatment of slaves… and enabled freed slaves to become almost normal citizens. Although French slavery was brutal and efficient, its end result was quite different from other nations.

  Cœurfroid – (KER-fwah) Maurice Adam (MO-rees AH-dom) Jeannine (ZHA-neen) Caroline Lacroix (CAR-oh-leen la-kwah)

  Colle – (CULL)

  Colonne – (CO-LOAN)

  comte – (COHMT) “count”, the noble title.

  comtesse – (KUHM-tess) “countess.”

  Conciergerie - (COHN-serg-zher-ree)

  conversatio morum – (CON-ver-ZAH-tio MOR-um) Latin, “changing behavior.” An oath to lead a good and godly life.

  corail – (COR-rai-yeh) “coral.”

  corvée – (CO-er-vey) literally “drudgery”

  Cour d’Assises Spéciale (COOR-da-ZEEZ-SPESS-al) “Spec
ial Assessment Court” would be a somewhat close translation.

  Courbet, Marcel – (COOR-bey, MAR-sell)

  Courgeon, Father Jonathan (COOR-zhon, ZHON-a-tohn) Historical figure.

  Cousin, Jean Younger Elder – (COO-za, ZHON)

  Cowan – English, actually, for a sneak or eavesdropper.

  Coypel, Charles-Antoine – (KWUO-pel, CHARL-ON-twon)

  Creeslough – (KREES-low) English.

  Crémieux, Adolphe – (KREM-you, AH-dolf) Historical figure.

  croissants au beurre – (KWAH-son-au-bear)

  croix pattée – (KWA PAH-tee) Think the Iron Cross or what’s on the side of the Red Baron’s Fokker.

  culotte, Sans-Culotte – (SAN-COOL-loht), “leggings,” “no-leggings.”

  cum laude – (KOOM-loudy) Latin, “with honors.”

  Cyril – (SEE-reel)

  Cyrille – (SEE-reel)

  de Damas, Duc – (day DAH-mas, DOO)

  damné – (DAM-nee) “damned.”

  Dauphin Royal – (DOO-fohn ROY-ahl) “royal dolphin.” Dauphin was the nickname for the heir apparent to the throne of France.

  daus – (DOWS) German, “deuce.”

  David, Jacque-Louis - (DAH-veed, ZHACK-LOO-ee) Historical figure.

  décolletage – (DEE-cohl-tazh) “a low neckline, or that area thereof.”

  Déguig – (DAY-geeg)

  déjeuner - (DAY-zhun-ae) “lunch.”

  Denis – (DUN-nee)

  Descartes – (DAY-cart)

  Deschenes – (DUH-shen)

  Desmoulin – (DAY-moo-lon)

  Despres, Franck – (DES-preh, FROHNK)

  Dessein, Onfroi – (DEE-sahn, ON-fwa)

  détective – (DEE-take-tiv) surprisingly, “detective.”

  Deux Frères – (DOO FRARE)

  Diarmuid and Gráinne – (DEER-mut and GRON-ya) Irish. These two created a love triangle with Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who was a terrific badass. This is never a good idea, and flight precipitated.

  Diderot – (DEED-roh)

  Dijonnais – (DEE-zhon-ae)